Canada Supports Negotiated Political Solution to Nagorno-Karabakh Issue, Says Melanie Joly

Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly has issued a statement one year after Azerbaijan's ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. “Last week marked one year since Azerbaijan launched military operations in Nagorno-Karabakh, a region historically populated by ethnic Armenians. The consequences of these actions have been significant, with more than 100,000 civilians, including 30,000 children, forcibly displaced to Armenia as a result of this military operation, leading to a rapid increase in humanitarian needs within the country.

Azerbaijan's unjustified military actions follow the six-month blockade of the Lachin corridor, which violated the temporary measures set by the International Court of Justice. Canada stands in solidarity with those affected by this crisis and is grateful to Armenia for opening its doors. That is why we allocated over $3.9 million in humanitarian assistance in 2023 to address the urgent needs arising from the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

“Canada continues to encourage and support meaningful negotiations towards a comprehensive peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as ongoing dialogue and trust-building between the parties for a just and sustainable peace for the peoples of this region. Canada has repeatedly called for the unconditional release of all Armenian prisoners of war held since the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war. We also continue to demand the release of all ethnic Armenians who have been arbitrarily detained in Azerbaijan.

Canada supports a negotiated political solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh issue and advocates for the principles of non-use of force, respect for territorial integrity, and the right to self-determination as we negotiate a fair and lasting peace for the peoples in the region. This must include the safe and dignified return of Armenian civilians, guarantees for the protection of human rights and civil livelihoods, and the preservation of Armenian cultural and historical monuments in the area,” the statement concludes.